A winter’s harvest available at farmer’s markets

BY DANIELLE RAY

Freshly made baked goods by Lucy Parker of Fox Hollow Pie Company of Princeton.
Danielle Ray photo Summer is not the only season for farmers markets.

The first winter Sterling Farmers Market at Meadowbrook Orchards, located at 209 Chace Hill Road, took place at the beginning of January; the next one is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Longtime market participant Dawn Hartnett of Shamrock Hives Farm recently took over as the Sterling Farmers Market coordinator and manager, and is hopeful that the winter markets will attract more and more customers as well as vendors.

“For the first market and given the cold weather I think we had a good turnout,” Hartnett said of their January market. “The goal is to attract more people and introduce local farmers to a larger community. I think it was great that we had fresh vegetables, a great musician [Erick Donaldson] and face painting. We have things to draw people in, and I hope people find us.”

The winter markets were started with the idea of offering local farmers market products during months when they are not as convenient to acquire. These included freshly baked pies and cookies, jams, meats, even fresh produce and local photography.

Upcoming winter markets will be held Feb. 1, March 1 and 15, and April 5, all held at the same location and time. The regular season Sterling Farmer’s Market will resume May through October in downtown Sterling at 1 Park St.

Hartnett said she is always looking for vendors to add to the list already signed up for the winter markets and beyond - Pineo Farm (to offer CSA), Shamrock Hives (offering pork and grass fed beef as well as jams and jellies), Meadowbrook Orchards, Legacy Photo, a hydroponic farmer from Brandywine Farm in Royalston who sells fresh vegetables, and freshly baked goods from Princeton-based Fox Hollow Pie Company.

Find the Sterling Farmer’s Market on Facebook for more updated information on the winter markets as well as the regular season markets, photos, and featured recipes. For more information or to inquire about becoming a vendor call Dawn Hartnett at 508-835-3334 or e-mail her at shamrockhivesfarm@hotmail.com.